Today was the innaugural Daytona party at my new shop which as most of you know opened last september. We had a great party up until that final lap. As most of you now know Dale Earnhardt driver of the #3 Goodwrench Chevrolet Died on the last lap of the Daytona 500 tonight fallowing a multiple car crash.
Dale Earnhardt was a true hero, whom I have fallowed all my life. Dales the reason i love racing and lettering cars. He was a man of simple words. He wasnt flashy, just strait to the point. (reminded me of my father)
Growing up Dale Earnhardt was a household name. I cant fathom not seeing that black #3 on the tracks this year. He will be missed deeply at our shop and in our hearts.
The news brought tears to my eyes today as i heard about the accident. Ive placed memorium graphics on my truck. Ive also e mailed nascar and offered to donate the memorium numbers for next weeks race for on everyones car. I Dont think it'll ever go through, but it would be the least i could do for all the wonderful memories.
For those of you who feel as bad as I do, I look at it this way "Legends never die."
Thanks for reading this post ......just needed to vent.
#3 Gone But "NEVER Forgotten" "Thanks for all the wonderful memories"
------------------ Ryan Ursta Ursta Graphics 27 West Shenango St. Sharpsville Pa. 16150 Call: 724•962•2206 "letters of Recommendation"
Known as "Ugraph" on mirc
Posted by Adrienne Pereira (Member # 1046) on :
This isnt Adrienne but her boyfriend Jim.
I was watching the race yesterday as well and caught the big wreck and was amazed that everyone walked away. Then saw the wreck on the last lap and figured it was one of the normal ones they always have. I was stunned a little while later to hear that he had died. It boggles the mind to think someone could fly through the air and smash up cars like they did and one die in what looks like a normal crash. I know if someone wonders what is a normal crash they dont watch racing in any form. I do have to say I cheer for Gordon but when someone like Ernhardt is lost no matter who is your favorite it takes away from everyone who enjoys the sport. I do have to say I enjoyed Ernhardt telling that kid that bumped him he was number one. Jim ------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt'
[This message has been edited by AdrienneMorgan (edited February 19, 2001).]
Posted by Sarah Clark (Member # 413) on :
whats so stunning about people dying in car races. Many have. They are dangerous. The drivers know the risk and I doubt very much that the spectator sport would be so popular if there wasnt the possibility of some blood and gore.
The loss of his life is tragic for this man and his family but totally inconcievable, I doubt it.
S Clark NW Arkansas
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Posted by Daniel R. Perez (Member # 1585) on :
I too enjoy the sport of motor racing, all of them. True, the inherent risks are unavoidable and Dale knew that. He was a champion, not just people, to his sport and everyone likes a hero. Everyone dies right on time so I don't think it was a tragedy, untimely or any of that stuff. He died doing what he loved to do. I hope I die doing what I love to do, although I think it''s highly unlikely I would die from painting or playing my saxophone.
Farewell Mr. Earnhardt, you will be missed.
------------------ There is nothing new under the sun. What will be has already been and has been will be again. Daniel R. Perez Daniez Dzines Fresno, CA daniez2001@yahoo.com
Posted by Gary Wiant (Member # 1421) on :
I agree that all the drivers know the risks, but I don't agree that people go to races to see people wreck "Blood & Guts" I go to see the competetion, I love cars, I go to the track 2 or 3 times a week I have never liked or wanted to see wrecks at any time. Dale will be missed greatly & If you don't think this will touch ALL race fans, My 7 year old son (A Huge Mark Martin Fan" he likes his car colors ), was at his grandpartents house when he found out, called me crying saying that Dale died, he said Dad tell me it wasn't Dale Earnhardt, anyone but him, even Martin Dale's the greatest driver in the world. Then he said I'm taking all my Earnhardt stuff and putting it on the self & never play with it again.
------------------ Gary Wiant Vinyl Graphics Unlimited Shippenville, PA
Posted by Kevin L. Kleinhans (Member # 1263) on :
I personnaly am devastated by the death of Dale Earnhart. While i cheer for many of the drivers he was my favorite. He was a man of integrity and a talented racer. I like motorsports of all types, boats, drag, Nascar,Indy, you name it. I have drag raced on many an occasion and i dont feel that any of the fans are there to see wrecks. Sarah, you dont have a clue what racing is about, and its a shame you made those remarks about a hero to so many. I didnt know I could greive so deeply for a man i have never met. Work was lousy today, I didnt accomplish very much, why? because I felt like I had lost a brother, a man I have watched for many years and come to admire died in an accident, and not because anyone wanted to see it happen. Shame on you.
------------------ Kevin L. Kleinhans Alma Signs (Signs Be Me) Alma, Michigan 517 463-6851
Posted by SIGNBOY99 on :
To Ryan: I am with you 110%! I am and always will be a huge Dale Earnhardt fan, both Jr. and Sr. I have followed Dale since his rookie season in '79 when I was only 6 years old. I have what my friends and relatives say is a shrine to Dale Earnhardt in my home office. Cars, memorabilia, signed pictures, signs, etc. I even made sure I got his number on my license plates when I applied for them, they say "3 SIGNZ". I heard the news in the car on the way to my brothers house a little while after the race, I started crying like a little kid. My wife started to cry with me because she knew how much I cherished the living legend. The sport will go on, but will NEVER be the same without him. He will truly be missed.....
To Sarah: There is nothing so stunning about people dying in car races. It is a fact of life with the danger involved. But I think you are way out of line in saying that, and I quote "I doubt very much that the spectator sport would be so popular if there wasnt the possibility of some blood and gore." I have one question for you: If that is what makes the sport so popular, then why is there such an outpouring of emotion over a fallen hero. People do not watch the sport to see people get hurt, or worse yet, lose their life!!
------------------ Mike Murray Murray Signs Freeport IL USA "A business with no sign is a sign of no business"
PROUD supporter of this website!!
Posted by goddinfla (Member # 1502) on :
I just noticed something while reading these tributes to Dale. I looked down at my keyboard and right there above the W and the E is a tribute to the man. Odd I never noticed before.
------------------ Dennis Goddard Excalibur Signs & Graphics Tampa Fl
Posted by coop (Member # 504) on :
I'm still in shock, unwilling to accept this. I was never much of a "NASCAR" fan, until 1989. My friend was hooked, and told me on a saturday night, "Watch the race tomorrow, you'll like it!". He was right, I did like it! Guess who won the first race I ever sat down and watched from start to finish.
Twelve years later, I'm still a fan of NASCAR & "Big E".
Yes, people pass away everyday. But, there are only a few select individuals that "touch" the lives of many. I know that my post here doesn't really do anything, except maybe relieve some of the heartache I am feeling at the moment.
May you Race in Peace, I miss you Dale!
------------------ Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?
Whatever your sport may be, Auto racing is one of the few sports where it truley is a team effort. I wish all sports figures were paid AFTER they won an event.
I hate pro athletes with thier salary demands and then act like everyone is priviledged to "see" them play.
Dale earned 36 million over his career. A-Rod gets a contract for a Quarter-of-a-BILLION dollars. (thats $0.78 cents from every person in america)
p.s. I never saw a nascar driver SELL his signature as many other pro's do.
------------------ Mike Duncan Lettercraft Signs Alexandria VA
I have never let schooling interfere with my education - Mark Twain
Posted by Mark Perkins (Member # 296) on :
Sarah, reading what you wrote reminds me of what I saw on our local tv news...they had a reporter at a mall interviewing people as they left about Dales accident...and several had the same mixed up attitude as you...unless you are a racing fan you would never understand how thousands of people at a track can suddenly fall silent when there is a bad crash...collectively holding their breaths and praying for the driver to be okay...we don't watch racing for the accidents...believe me...and as the father of a 12 year old son I would MUCH rather him have a driver for a hero than a drugged up, wife beating football/baseball/basketball "star"
Ernest Hemingway wrote many years ago "there are only three real sports in this world...bull riding..mountain climbing..and racing...the rest all just GAMES"
------------------ Mark Perkins Performance Signs & Graphics Eunice, Louisiana "The heart of Cajun Country"
Posted by Mark Perkins (Member # 296) on :
Sarah, reading what you wrote reminds me of what I saw on our local tv news...they had a reporter at a mall interviewing people as they left about Dales accident...and several had the same mixed up attitude as you...unless you are a racing fan you would never understand how thousands of people at a track can suddenly fall silent when there is a bad crash...collectively holding their breaths and praying for the driver to be okay...we don't watch racing for the accidents...believe me...and as the father of a 12 year old son I would MUCH rather him have a driver for a hero than a drugged up, wife beating football/baseball/basketball "star"
Ernest Hemingway wrote many years ago "there are only three real sports in this world...bull riding..mountain climbing..and racing...the rest all just GAMES"
------------------ Mark Perkins Performance Signs & Graphics Eunice, Louisiana "The heart of Cajun Country"
